Wisdom: Dopamine and Vignanmay kosh

sucharitabiswas
Oct 9, 2023
2 min read

At the Agna chakra or the third eye chakra, we focus on the importance of the distinction between Manomay ( I want / like part of mind) and Vignanmay Kosh ( what would actually benefit me).

This is an intense topic and I feel it is the source of eliminating a lot (99.99%) of our miseries. Maharshi Patanjali states clearly that Avidhya is the biggest of all kleshas (5 types of pains) in Yoga Sutra. Avidhya is not knowing - it is ignorance. When we connect to our Vignanmay kosh, we eliminate ignorance. We are then able to tune in to what’s best for us (exercise, timely rest, healthy wholesome food, real connections, sunlight, and outdoors). Rather than what feels good (soda?).

When we take a minute daily to connect to our Vignanmay Kosh - the center of higher mind; we automatically are inclined to make better decisions. Saying a daily affirmation:

"We are blessed with wisdom : KNOWING and DOING what is the best thing to do, every single second of our life. We constantly operate from our higher consciousness or the Vignanmay Kosh. We live a life without regret."

Contemplating on the same helps us wire our dopamine circuits - to gain Joy in doing the things that are good for us.

One of my favorite professors, Dr Andrew Huberman, in his “dopamine” lecture clarifies that we in fact have the power to associate dopamine to whatever we want to. Amazing point of data. I have associated a 1 min. cold bath during morning showers and salads (5 days a week) to immense joy (neurochemically - dopamine) and satisfaction (serotonin).

Here is a snippet of my kids' class theory - we are all kids at heart after all :)